An affordable and capable monochrome astrophotography camera for anyone interested in taking amazing tri-color or LRGB astrophotos with a telescope and specialty filters

Features a 1/2" format monochrome CCD sensor and an on-board thermoelectric cooler (TEC) which are normally only available on much more costly cameras

High-tech features such as 16-bit A/D conversion, regulated thermoelectric cooling, on-board fan and more

The Orion StarShoot G3 Monochrome can also be used as a dedicated, high-performance, low-noise autoguider with ST-4 output jack built right in

Complete Orion Camera Studio software is included for easy image capture, processing, and sharing of your astrophotos. Compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7and 8. ASCOM drivers are also included for use with other imaging software programs, or for autoguiding use

The Orion StarShoot G3 Deep Space Monochrome Imaging Camera has been designed with performance enhancing features and software that until now have been reserved for much more expensive CCD imagers. Built around the popular Sony interline ICX419AKL Monochrome CCD chip, which boasts a 752 x 582 pixel array with sensitive, 8.6 micron by 8.3 micron pixels, the StarShoot G3 is capable of detecting fine details in celestial objects. This bigger, 1/2" format CCD sensor usually isn't available in cameras priced as low as the StarShoot G3, and it provides a much larger imaging field of view than cameras equipped with 1/3" format chips so you can shoot more sky in far less time.

Featuring a monochrome imaging CCD chip, the StarShoot G3 Monochrome Imaging Camera is capable of performing advanced tri-color imaging techniques when used with proper LRGB or narrowband astrophotography filters. Using a monochrome astrophotography camera gives you complete control over which light wavelengths to accentuate to achieve vibrantly colored astrophotos of deep space phenonema.

The StarShoot G3 Deep Space Monochrome Imaging Camera is the only monochrome camera in its price range to feature regulated thermoelectric cooling (TEC). Regulated thermoelectric cooling significantly improves astrophoto quality and reduces noise by enabling accurate dark frame acquisition. This regulated "cooling" feature is usually only found in much pricier cameras, and makes the StarShoot G3 a truly amazing value. The on-board TEC can cool the StarShoot G3 Mono to a brisk 10°C below ambient temperature so that noise is minimized in dark frames and exposures. The monochrome StarShoot G3 even features a small, vibration-free fan which assists the TEC to remove warm air and further optimize imaging results. These cooling features are usually only found on imaging cameras priced up to four times more expensive than the Orion StarShoot G3!

Seen below is a split-view taken from two different 180 second dark frames displaying the exact same pixel brightness range. As seen with the TEC on, the StarShoot G3's cooling system reduces the number of hot pixels and overall noise in the image.

The Orion StarShoot G3 Deep Space Monochrome Imaging Camera is capable of downloading a full frame image in approximately 2 seconds. A convenient subframe downloading feature allows for even speedier results. A convenient wide exposure range allows you to take extensive exposures of wispy deep space objects and then capture a quick snapshot of the Moon during the same imaging session.

Complete astrophotography imaging software is included with the StarShoot G3 Deep Space Monochrome Imaging Camera. Orion Camera Studio software makes it easy to control image capture through the camera, save results, process images, and share with family and friends! The included software is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8 Operating Systems (32 bit, 64 bit). ASCOM drivers are also included for the Orion StarShoot G3 Deep Space Monochrome Imaging Camera, allowing use with a number of other popular image processing programs, such as Nebulosity, ImagesPlus, and more.

The versatile Orion StarShoot G3 can also be used as a dedicated autoguider, with a direct ST-4 output conveniently built right into the camera body. Use the StarShoot G3 as a high-performance, low-noise 16-bit CCD autoguider with a high-end CCD imaging camera or DSLR attached to your imaging telescope for especially accurate tracking and precise results. Included ASCOM drivers allow you to use your choice of autoguiding software with the StarShoot G3, such as PHD Guiding, when using the camera as an autoguider. Autoguiding software is not included with the Orion StarShoot G3 Monochrome Deep Space Imaging Camera.

The Orion StarShoot G3 Deep Space Monochrome Imaging Camera comes with a removable 1.25" nosepiece for easy attachment to virtually any telescope focuser. The nosepiece is threaded for use with 1.25" Orion imaging filters so you can easily enhance your images. Removing the 1.25" nosepiece reveals a built-in 2" nosepiece with standard T-threads for secure coupling of the camera to your imaging telescope and/or astrophotography accessories.

Measuring just 3.4" in diameter with a depth of 1.85", the compact Orion StarShoot G3 Deep Space Monochrome Imaging Camera won't take up much space in your accessory case, and its small size makes it a great candidate for use with Fastar and Hyperstar imaging systems. The camera weighs just 12 oz. so whether it's used as an imaging camera or autoguider, it will keep your astrophotography setup lean and mean.

The StarShoot G3 Deep Space Monochrome Imaging Camera connects to your computer via its USB 2.0 connection, and a 10' USB cable is included. A 10' auto-lighter power cable is also included to provide 12V DC power to the on-board cooling TEC when needed. The USB 2.0 connection provides enough power to the camera for non-cooled operation or for use as an autoguider. External power is only required for TEC operation.

The Orion StarShoot G3 Deep Space Monochrome Imaging Camera is our most affordable 16-bit, cooled monochrome CCD imaging camera. In fact, it's one of the most affordable feature-packed cameras available to astrophotographers today!

Media Buzz

Sky at Night Magazine, December 2012
"The G3 is an excellent entry-level astronomical CCD camera. It's light, more sensitive than a DSLR, reasonably affordable and delivers crisp, clean and detailed results."

"The G3 is not just a great entry-level CCD camera: it can be used as an autoguider."

"..each greyscale image can contain up to 65,536 grey tones - perfect for all those delicate, wispy bits of faint nebulosity."

Sky & Telescope Magazine, November 2012
"The Orion Camera Studio software supplied with the G3 cameras offers basic camera control and image-processing functions that are easy to use."

"I found both StarShoot G3 Cameras to be exciting additions to the beginner CCD camera market. Their decent-sized chip, small physical size, and regulated cooling rolled into a package ... are clearly milestones in the continually evolving amateur imaging field."

"Today's beginning CCD astrophotographers have a far superior and less expensive first step available to them in the Orion StarShoot G3 cameras."

Warranty

Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for one year from date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact us at 800-676-1343.

Warning

Please note this product was not designed or intended by the manufacturer for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.

Imaging chip

Short for "charge-coupled device," a CCD chip is a light-sensitive electronic detector used in making astronomical images. Sensitive over a wide range of wavelengths, and much more efficient than film in gathering light, CCDs are often used to image extremely faint objects.

A/D conversion

The Analog to Digital Converter (A/D Converter) transfers the raw analog signal captured by the camera to a digital value. The digital value is sent to the computer in ADUs (Analog to Digital Units). The A/D Converter also determines the bit resolution of the analog to digital conversion. The more bit resolution the A/D Converter has, the greater the range of ADUs, which yields a better range of image contrast from the camera. (If "X" equals the bit resolution of the A/D Converter, then 2expX = total range of ADUs.) For example, many commercial digital cameras use a 12-bit A/D Converter which has 4,096 ADUs, and high-end astronomical CCD cameras typically use a 16-bit A/D Converter which has 65,536 ADUs.

Thermoelectric cooling

A thermoelectric cooler draws heat away from the chip, which lowers the overall electronic "noise" in the resulting image. For every 6º drop in temperature, the dark noise in the image is reduced by half.

IR filter

CCD cameras are very sensitive to a wide range of wavelengths, including farther out into the infra-red spectrum than we can see by eye. Normally this is never a problem when looking through the telescope, but a sensitive CCD camera will see this slightly out of focus region of the spectrum, resulting in fatter stars than normal. An IR filter will cut out this region of the spectrum leaving tightly focused stars and a better overall image.

Full well capacity

The CCD full well capacity is the amount of signal electrons that can be properly collected and transferred by each pixel of the CCD. The higher the full well capacity, the more light the CCD pixels can collect without over saturating the signal.

Read noise (RMS)

Read noise exists in all CCD chips. It affects the image's signal to noise ratio, but as long as the noise exhibits a normal distribution, the resultant image will not be greatly affected by noise after processing.

Dark signal (at 0º C)

Every CCD camera produces a certain amount of dark signal (or dark current), which accumulates in the pixels during an exposure. The dark signal is produced by heat, and is a source of noise in images. Some pixels are warmer or colder and affect the amount of dark signal for that individual pixel. Most of the dark signal can be removed by subtracting a dark frame.

Binning

Binning 1x1 simply means each pixel counts as one pixel. Binning 2x2 or more is a method of increasing the sensitivity of a CCD camera at the expense of resolution. Adjacent pixels are summed together into ?super-pixels? which have better signal-to-noise ratio. So for example, binning 2x2 would cause 4 pixels to act as one larger pixel, providing a quarter of the resolution, but approximately four times the sensitivity.

Warranty

This warranty gives you specific legal rights. It is not intended to remove or restrict your other legal rights under applicable local consumer law; your state or national statutory consumer rights governing the sale of consumer goods remain fully applicable.

Orders received by 1pm Eastern Time for in-stock items ship the same business day. Orders received after 1pm will ship the next business day. When an item is not in-stock we will ship it as soon as it becomes available. Typically in-stock items will ship first and backordered items will follow as soon as they are available. You have the option in check out to request that your order ship complete, if you'd prefer.

The 1.25" Orion LRGB Astrophotography Filter Set contains 4 must haves for beautiful astrophotos: Red, Blue, Green, and Luminance IR cutoff , all in a protective case. The filters are parfocal which eliminates the task of refocusing between exposure.

For producing striking, high-contrast color CCD astrophotography of emission nebulae with a monochrome CCD camera, you should use extra-narrowband filters. The 1.25" Orion Extra-Narrowband Hydrogen-Alpha filter is one of a set of three filters.

This versatile accessory lets you image and guide through a single telescope without the need for a separate guide scope! Its thin, 10.5mm profile is ideal for use with Newtonian reflectors which have limited "back focus" travel.

The Orion 1.25" Astrophotography Flip Mirror is a real time saver. It allows you to find and focus your target visually through an eyepiece instead of by tediously taking pictures. Focus through the eyepiece, then flip the mirror to take a picture.

To easily transition filters for tri-color RGB or LRGB astrophotography, just load up to 7 filters into the Orion Nautilus Motorized Filter Wheel and use the control software to change filters automatically.

The Orion StarShoot is an easy-to-use, affordable autoguider for long-exposure astrophotography. Plug it into an autoguider port on your mount and let it do the work for you. It comes with the software and cables needed to work right out of the box!

The G3 is an excellent entry-level astronomical CCD camera. It's light, more sensitive than a DSLR, reasonably affordable and delivers crisp, clean and detailed results.

The G3 is not just a great entry-level CCD camera: it can be used as an autoguider.

...each greyscale image can contain up to 65,536 grey tones - perfect for all those delicate, wispy bits of faint nebulosity.

- Sky at Night Magazine December 2012

The Orion Camera Studio software supplied with the G3 cameras offers basic camera control and image-processing functions that are easy to use.

I found both StarShoot G3 Cameras to be exciting additions to the beginner CCD camera market. Their decent-sized chip, small physical size, and regulated cooling rolled into a package ... are clearly milestones in the continually evolving amateur imaging field.

Today's beginning CCD astrophotographers have a far superior and less expensive first step available to them in the Orion StarShoot G3 cameras.

At Orion, we are committed to sharing our knowledge and passion for astronomy and astrophotography with the amateur astronomy community. Visit the Orion Community Center for in-depth information on telescopes, binoculars, and astrophotography. You can find astrophotography "how to" tips and share your best astronomy pictures here. Submit astronomy articles, events, and reviews, and even become a featured Orion customer!